About Us

Accessing the research expertise and facilities of the University

Adelaide Research & Innovation is South Australia’s premier commercial research hub, facilitating access to the research and expertise of the University of Adelaide, one of the world’s top 100 universities.

We manage the University's commercial research and consultancy partnerships, form new business ventures based on University expertise and develop the University’s innovative ideas and technologies with commercial potential.

Our approach is simple – to match client needs and business opportunities with the resources and expertise of the University, enabling organisations to grow, expanding the research base of the University and translating research into real benefits for the community.

Whether you are seeking research expertise to solve a business problem, develop new products or shape public policy, Adelaide Research & Innovation can connect you with a network of more than 2000 researchers across the entire range of the University of Adelaide’s research footprint. 

While we help Australian businesses grow, we also manage multimillion projects with global partners including Mosaic, Pfizer and Proctor & Gamble and have extensive international networks with other research-based universities and institutes. With our government clients we are helping to manage and deliver research and services that improve health, education, security and welfare.  

In business 25 years, Adelaide Research & Innovation has built a team of experts combining academic creativity with business acumen. Members of our team have worked as researchers themselves, as well as being able to draw on years of commercial experience and project management skills to meet the needs of industrial, research and commercial partners.

A wide range of partnering arrangements are available, all of which can be tailored to suit the requirement of individual organisations. Our streamlined contracting process means working with a University has never been easier.

Research Partnerships

• In any one year we facilitate more than 300 research projects in both the public and private sectors. We are professional, flexible and practical in our approach to contracting and intellectual property rights. Whether it’s a short term project or a strategic joint venture, by delivering access to the first-class scientific expertise at the University, Adelaide Research & Innovation can assist you to achieve your research goals faster, minimise risk and build new business growth.

Intellectual Property Rights

• Ownership of intellectual property is negotiable. In general, ownership is allocated based on the amount each party contributes to the full costs (including all overheads) of the research, subject to considerations of strategic importance, the interests of co-investors and background IP. Our goal is to ensure that research partnerships are mutually beneficial.

Consulting and Technical Services

• Engaging the University on a consultancy basis enables your business to take advantage of the broad range of scientific talent and apply it to your specific business need. Researchers at the University can be contracted to provide expert opinion, testing and advisory services such as soil analysis, safety assessments, plant disease diagnosis and engineering reports.

Commercial Funding Opportunities

• Adelaide Research & Innovation can also be your gateway to leverage R&D funding through a variety of government grant programs including the Australian Research Council - Linkage scheme, National Health & Medical Research Council – Discovery and the Premier’s Science Research Fund. These programs support local and international partners of the University in applied research projects.

New Knowledge & Technologies

• Outstanding ideas come from universities. Adelaide Research & Innovation actively assess, protect, market and commercialise ideas and inventions with commercial potential on behalf of the University. We currently work with local, national and international investment partners to translate technologies into real world impact.

Early Stage Technology Funding

• Adelaide Research & Innovation aims to put more of the University's research discoveries on the path to commercialisation by maximising access to appropriate commercial funding programs. Many valuable university projects lack the funding needed to take a promising idea through the critical first stages of commercial and technical evaluation and then onwards to being investment ready. We provide direct assistance through our $2 million Commercial Accelerator Scheme. ARI are also the gateway to interactions with Venture Capital providers, including the $30 million Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund, a unique collaborative venture dedicated to funding technology opportunities from the University of Adelaide and its other participants.

Creating new businesses

• We offer a comprehensive commercial advisory service on attracting investment and creating start-up companies. Our team of commercial managers provide expertise in establishing new businesses, from appointing Directors, and establishing a constitution, to branding and websites. 

Publications